ECOLOGY AND FRUIT QUALITIES OF PARKIA BIGLOBOSA (JACQ.) BENTH FROM DIFFERENT PROVENANCES ESTABLISHED IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out as a follow up on the existing germplasm plantation of Parkia biglobosa established in 1995 at Wasangare, (latitude 80 401 3.4311 North and longitude 30 231 38.1511 East) Saki, Oyo State. The study investigated ecology and fruit qualities of Parkia biglobosa source from eight Provenances; Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Guinea, Ghana and Mali. Complete enumerations were carried out on each selected plot for measurement of growth variables in the sampled plot. The diameters of Parkia biglobosa stands at breast height were measured at 1.3m above the ground level using Girth Diameter tape. The Spegiel relaskop was used to determine the height and crown diameters were estimated by visual projection of two extreme point from the crown to the ground of each Parkia biglobosa stands. The assessment of soil under Parkia sample plots were divided diagonally and samples collected at three different points. Soil sample collected from each points were thoroughly mixed together to form a homogenized bulk sample for the representative plots. The soil samples were collected at the depth of 0 – 15cm using Jarret 4 – inches diameter soil auger, collected samples were kept in black polythene bags and labelled according to location of collection. The collected soil samples were transferred to the laboratory under aseptic condition; samples were air – dried and kept in the desiccators before analysis. The physical characteristics such as soil moisture, soil temperature, and soil texture were determined. The microbial load of the soil was also determined. The soil was also analyzed for pH, macro and micro nutrients. The fruit yields of the Parkia biglobosa plantation were determined between year 2015 and 2017 respectively. Apart from yield, the fruit nutritional status was also carried out for the fruit/seed. The nutritional and the anti-nutritional minerals of the seeds and pulp were also determined. Fungal colonies from assayed samples (soil and plant parts) in Potatoes Detrose Agar (PDA) were counted and recorded depending on the growth occurred, frequency of occurrence of associated fungi and morphological characteristics. Pure iii cultures of associated fungi were also obtained by subculture on fresh PDA and the observed morphological characters were identified. Eight treatments which were the different provenances were subjected to Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The analyses were done with four replicates and data obtained were expressed as mean ± standard error of the means. The morphological result obtained showed that there were significant differences in the total height and crown ratio of Parkia biglobosa from the eight provenances of Parkia biglobosa. The result shows that trees from Guinea provenance had the highest total tree height of 16.00m at 20 years of age and differs significantly from all other provenances. The variability recorded in crown diameter of Parkia biglobosa from the eight provenances and Mali had the highest crown diameter of 8.73m which differed significantly from other provenances. Soil pH was highest in the soil samples from Ghana provenance with the value of 5.92 while the soil sample from Burkina Faso provenance had the lowest value of soil pH of 5.06. The soil exchangeable cations which include Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminum and Sodium are significantly different among the provenance examined. Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC) was higher in the samples collected from Senegal with the value 15.26mol but Guinea has a lower value of 12.028cmol than other provenances. Burkina Faso had the highest base saturation level with value of 99.65cmol while the least level of 98.91cmol was obtained from Guinea. Moreover, the soil status for soil macro nutrient in Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium varied significantly across the provenances examined. Soil trace element which are Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper(Cu) and Iron(Fe) also showed significant difference in the level of the trace elements present in the soil from different provenances examined under this study. The microbial load and occurrences shows that P. biglobosa from Senegal has the highest number (57x104 cfu/g) of bacteria load and Burkina Faso P. biglobosa soil provenance recorded the least microbial load of 23x104 cfu/g. P. biglobosa soil from Senegal also have the highest number of fungi colony with 4.7 x104 cfu/g but Burkina Faso showed iv least fungi load of 1.8x104 cfu/g. The result showed that the flowering of P. biglobosa from all the provenances ranged from November to December. There were significant difference in the period of fruit maturation and physiological features of fruits. It was observed that the yield from Parkia biglobosa from different provenances increases from 2015 to 2017 respectively. There were significant differences in proximate compositions, mineral nutrient and vitamins of Parkia biglobosa seeds and pulp from eight provenances. The bark and leaves of P.biglobosa were colonized by pathogenic fungi such as Botryopilodia spp 44.44% and 27.78% occurrence respectively along with other pathogens. It has also been confirmed that there are variations in ecology and fruits qualities in the provenances of Parkia biglobosa established in Wasangare, Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State. The study of Parkia biglobosa germplasm has highlighted its adaptability features which could be a precursor to its domestication and plantation establishment in view of environmental changes. Individual variables are unique irrespective of their provenances.